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Rick wrote: "You might want to checkout Wells' Raksura books, then. They start with The Cloud Roads"

I had seen that title pop up, but I hadn't noticed the author. >.<
Thank you so much! I will definitely check those out in the future! :D

I finally finished Inhibitor Phase, Al Reynolds' most recent edition to his Revelation Space series. (I started it last November LOL). Overall I enjoyed it. Classic Reynolds. There were parts where it dragged a little though, which is why I put it down a few times and took (a long) break before continuing. But the ending was good when I eventually got there.

Jan wrote: "I finally finished Inhibitor Phase, Al Reynolds' most recent edition to his Revelation Space series. (I started it last November LOL). Overall I enjoyed it. Classic Reynolds. ..."

I started this a long time ago as well (October, I think) and also found myself taking a long break. Which continues... I will pick it up again based on your overall positive experience. Thanks.

Hmmm INHIBITOR PHASE has been sitting in my physical TBR pile next to My bed since I bought it on release day.

I think The Constant Rabbit might have been one of the strangest reading experiences that I couldn't put down. Satire, scathing commentary, and maybe just a glimmer of hope for the human race, deep down somewhere, if we can just come to earn it, however incrementally. This one really hooked me good.

Chris wrote: "I think The Constant Rabbit might have been one of the strangest reading experiences that I couldn't put down. Satire, scathing commentary, and maybe just a glimmer of hope for the ..."

I love Fforde but this was a little weird even for him. Weird but enjoyable.

Finished The Blacktongue Thief. Three stars, lots of smiles and out right laughter. A fun palate cleaner. I will try The Thousand Names next.

From hysterical to mighty serious, Eric :)

Michelle wrote: "From hysterical to mighty serious, Eric :)"

Considering hysterical was after Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, why not back to serious? 🙃

I am almost done with The Exiled Fleet, which is an amazing space opera and book #2 in the series (The Last Watch was book#1 and great as well). Highly recommend for folks that appreciate the scientific aspects of Project Hail Mary and the found-family aspects of The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet. Might be my first 5 star read of the year.

Read A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow last night. What a lovely little book. A Sleeping Beauty fractured fairy tale. It fulfilled a few prompts for Around the Year and Popsugar which I'm pretty happy with. There's another one coming in a few months. Can't wait. It has the Evil Queen from Snow White.

Started reading The Girl and the Mountain by Mark Lawrence a few days ago. Really enjoying it. Of course. Love Mark's books. Been taking it everywhere with me since May last year hoping to get a chance to start it (and be in the mood for it which is a bigger thing with me reading something) and I've finally got around to it. Hoping to finish it soon.

I'm reading The Three-Body Problem. Yeah, I know, late to the party. I did get half way through when it was a fairly new release (yikes I started it in 2015???) but then just never went back. So I've started again from the beginning, and surprisingly, some scenes still remain vivid from that first, partial read. I'm determined to push through this time, and I want to read the sequels too.

Penric books are always fun!

Since my last post��

In audio, I finished this month’s science fiction pick, Reap the Wild Wind by Julie Czerneda. I’m not going to say anything about it in this thread since it’s a current group read and there may be people who want to go in blind who haven't had the chance to read it yet. My profile always shows reviews of my recent reads.

Now I’m about two thirds through the audio of Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan. I didn't really know anything about this before I started listening, but for some reason I expected to like it a lot more than I am. I don't dislike it, but I don’t care much about the characters and I’m only moderately interested in the story. My progress has been slow because I'm not listening as much as I could be. I don't care for the audio narrator either, although I've heard worse. I may try it again in print someday and see if it hooks me better that way.

In print, I finished this month’s fantasy pick, Sunshine by Robin McKinley, and then one of the January 15 re-read picks, The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. So, I won’t talk about either of those here for the same reason.

Now in print I’m about halfway through The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi and I’m enjoying that quite a bit. I realized while reading this book that I really like the unprepared-person-thrust-into-a-leadership-position trope (I never know the proper names for tropes, or if they even are tropes!), so I’m enjoying Cardenia’s storyline. And the foul-mouthed Kiva and her storyline is starting to grow on me quite a bit by now. I expect I’ll be following this up with the rest of the trilogy unless things go unexpectedly downhill.

I was thinking of taking a crack at reading something in French after having been studying it for the last 7-8 months or so. After some waffling I decided to make it an excuse to reread an old favourite of mine: Magicien : L'apprenti par Raymond E. Feist, which folks here will probably know better as Magician: Apprentice.

It's been an age since I read it, but I've read the series multiple times in the past, so I'm hoping that'll smooth out the first read in a new language.

I was recommended to read this short story by Asimov. It turned out to be a good one!
My review of The Gentle Vultures by Isaac Asimov
/review/show...

I finished A Darker Shade of Magic (which did get a bit better by the end), and sure enough, the library only has books #1 and #3 of the series. So, after a bit of grumbling about incomplete series in our library system, I started Bug, by Giacomo Sartori. It's one of those books that starts folks debating the definition of sci-fi, since modern technology is almost at the same level now as in this book, and it doesn't specify a time setting. I'm calling it light literary sci-fi so far, but it's really good, about a deaf kid and his hacker/tech wizard brother and computer geek dad, probably in a near future setting.

I loved The Expert System's Brother but found the sequel The Expert System’s Champion a bit harder to follow. Maybe I should have made notes or something but I did not manage to mentally tie up all the facts. I still enjoyed it anyway!
My review: /review/show...

Rebecca wrote: "I am almost done with The Exiled Fleet, which is an amazing space opera and book #2 in the series (The Last Watch was book#1 and great as well). Highly recommend for..."

Is it as preachy and patronizing as The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet?

I have just finished reading Children of Dune and I must say that I am little disappointed with this book especially with how it ends. I have read Dune long time and I like it lot, but the second and the third book from this series are not nearly as good as the first one. I am really in dilemma if I should start reading next ones form this series...
In the meantime I am planning to read next The Gods Themselves and the Ancillary Justice

Aleksandra wrote: "I have just finished reading Children of Dune and I must say that I am little disappointed with this book especially with how it ends. I have read Dune long time and..."

It has been many years since I read Dune, Dune Messiah, and Children of Dune but I share your disappointment. Dune is one of the most spectacular science fiction books I have read. The next two, and especially the third, did not measure up to that standard, at least not in my opinion. I have read only a couple of the later books and have not been impressed. To me they seemed that, if it were not for the framework Dune built, they would be seen as fairly generic SF.

Esther wrote: "Is it as preachy and patronizing as The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet?"

Not at all, the main similarities are the found family and life on a space ship.

So far this year, I've finished a couple of books towards my goal of reading more non-fiction: Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams, Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones, and Bright-Sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America. All of them interesting.

Currently reading the non-fiction: The Far Traveler: Voyages of a Viking Woman and This Is Your Mind on Plants. Far Traveler is really a lot more of a general book than the blurb lets on. I'm a quarter through and I think I've read two paragraphs on Gudrid herself but lots on a bunch of other tangents. Interesting, but frustrating.

Listening on audio to The Shadow Rising as part of my quest to finally reread/finish the series. I remember this being one of my favorites and so far it's great.

Jamie wrote: "..... and sure enough, the library only has books #1 and #3 of the series...."

Doncha hate that? Or the classic fail - the first book in a series has been 'lost' and the library never gets around to replacing it..........

Jan wrote: "Jamie wrote: "..... and sure enough, the library only has books #1 and #3 of the series...."

Doncha hate that? Or the classic fail - the first book in a series has been 'lost' and the library neve..."

The new Librarian where I am living at the moment while Hubby is working here in the middle of nowhere was saying that exact same thing the other week when I was in there. There are many series on the shelf where they don't have the first one and she's been trying to get a list so she can replace the ones that are missing. It's really annoying her. It's only a small library and there's not much money allocated to it and she is trying to get books at second hand shops and in discount stores to add to their collection instead of having to pay full price for the tons of books she needs to get.

Aleksandra wrote: "I have just finished reading Children of Dune and I must say that I am little disappointed with this book especially with how it ends. I have read Dune long time and..."

The first book in the Dune series is the standout. All of the sequels and prequels have their merits and charms, but I think most people are satisfied with the original. You will get some philosophy, strange people, and sandworms if you continue past Children of Dune. If that sounds like your jam, then try a sample of the next book. Otherwise, follow what your reading instincts are telling you to read after the Asimov and Leckie titles.

Rather late to the party, I've now read my first MXTX novel with The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System: Ren Zha Fanpai Zijiu Xitong (Novel) Vol. 1. This was the author's first serial and it kind of shows, but it definitely got better as it went along, and I'm eagerly looking forward to reading more of this story. This is a very nice edition and it's evident a lot of care was put into it for this author's fans. (review)

As a side note, this year so far I've read more translated novels than ones originally in English (2 vs. 1). That... is not going to last long, but it's fun to be able to say it, however briefly.

Beth, I’ve also read more translated things in January, because I liked it so much last year. I’ve decided to start/continue the tradition, making January my ”global reading month��. I read translated books all the time, but it’s fun to focus on them a bit more. Most people do this during Women in Translation month or another readathon, but I prefer January because it makes my stats look really great! 😄

That's a cool idea, Anna. I'll consider a "month in translation" for next year. (ideally that would not mean reading manga for 30 days straight)

Jan wrote: "Jamie wrote: "..... and sure enough, the library only has books #1 and #3 of the series...."

Doncha hate that? Or the classic fail - the first book in a series has been 'lost' and the library neve..."

I had one a couple years ago that I had to return unread. It was book #3 in a 4 part series, and the only book in that series on the Boxall 1001 books list, so I went looking for it again literally 2 weeks later and the library had somehow lost it. It took almost 2yrs to convince them to order a replacement copy.

Bug was excellent. I may have to read The Diamond Age soon to keep up the kids+AI theme, but for now I am listening to the audiobook of AS Byatt's The Children's Book. I've been doing a sort of marathon of a particular author to start out the year. Last year it was Evelyn Waugh, and this year it is AS Byatt. I read other books along with my chosen focus author, but I'll probably be much closer to finishing all of Byatt's novels by mid February.

Finished reading The Drawing of the Three (The Dark Tower #2) by Stephen King. I am reading The Jekyl Island Club by Brent Monahan. I plan to read The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle next.

Well cleaning up my reviews. Here is my review for the first book I finished this year. So far the only time I have ever given two five star reviews back to back

Robert E. Lee and Me: A Southerner's Reckoning with the Myth of the Lost Cause

What a way to start the reading year. I have been avoiding this book for a while under a false premise. With all the talk about losing our heritage and history by bringing down statues that support the Confederate cause and treating the leaders of the Rebellion as hero's, I wasn't looking forward to reading a book that might be in support of that premise. So I avoided the book and I was very wrong to do so. A lesson that I should really stop ignoring the blurbs that advertise the book.

This book is written by someone who was raised in such a sense as to treat Robert E. Lee as a nearly divine figure and bought into the Lost Cause Myth. During his life, he came up against his beliefs and factual history of events and it changes his views. Like most converts, I have come across in my life he can be a little preachy at times. I didn't find this to be a deterrent from the reading since he presents his views with factual material to back them up.

An excellent book that gives a stepping stone to understanding two very important lessons that many in the US have to face up to. The first is history changes with a new understanding of the evidence. Second, we still have a long way to go before we reach the ideal we have set for ourselves when he sought independence.

Another catch-up review

Secret Agent Mom

A fun premise for a book. No singles needing to add a romantic twist to an adventure story. This book comes with the romance somewhat aged, seemingly to perfection. The hero of the story is a Soccer Mom, trying to balance the fact that she is a Magical Police Officer with being a mother and a member of the PTA. Add to this the fact that all her children have their own magical or extraordinary abilities it makes for a hectic lifestyle. Quite a fun read if at times it stretches the realm of suspended disbelief.

Chris wrote: "I was thinking of taking a crack at reading something in French after having been studying it for the last 7-8 months or so. After some waffling I decided to make it an excuse to reread an old favo..."

Wow - that's an advanced-language challenge, after 7-8 months of study! Will it be your first novel in French?

This is a new idea for me, though - I've only read things in French I probably wouldn't be interested in reading in English, because that's all that was available. I'm now starting to think about the possibility of reading my favourite books that way - as you say, an excuse to re-read them, but with the purpose of practising French. Although it'd require buying them...

Tamara wrote: "Chris wrote: "I was thinking of taking a crack at reading something in French after having been studying it for the last 7-8 months or so. After some waffling I decided to make it an excuse to rere..."

Le Nom du vent by Patrick Rothfuss is beautifully translated and very poetic in French

Rebecca wrote: "Esther wrote: "Is it as preachy and patronizing as The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet?"

Not at all, the main similarities are the found family and life on a space ship."

Sounds promising. I enjoyed those aspects and they reminded me of Firefly which is a favourite.

Rebecca wrote: "I am almost done with The Exiled Fleet, which is an amazing space opera and book #2 in the series (The Last Watch was book#1 and great as well). Highly recommend for..."

I enjoyed reading The Last Watch and The Exiled Fleet. The author did good expanding the characterizations from the 1st book.

I'm reading The City Beautiful by Aden Polydoros. It's slow going for me because I'm occupied with RL. The setting is during the 1890s. Someone is harming young Jewish boys. The book has tones of horror so far.

I am off to a pretty excellent year so far, reading wise.

I've read 8 books so far, and, group books aside, which I shall not include or discuss here, I've had a lot of fun with several.

Super happy with The Trials of Koli except that Carey seemed to be under the impression that we no longer end books, which is something I'd like us to take a vote on before authors do this.

Now starting Kings of the Wyld and hoping that it's different enough from Prince of Dogs that I don't confuse the two. If it turns out that I am confused, I'll pause one and find...something...else.

I've been reading The Steerswoman series, (Thanks, Ryan!), but have run out of books courtesy of a week's holiday, so I just re-read Hogfather. Just as good as ever!

Just finished "The Inheritance Game" and on "The Hawthorn's Legacy"

Allison wrote: "Super happy with The Trials of Koli except that Carey seemed to be under the impression that we no longer end books, which is something I'd like us to take a vote on before authors do this."

Yeah. I'm with you. I just read Empire of the Vampire and it totally didn't end. 800+ pages and virtually none of the major threads were wrapped up! Ahhhh! And it's a new book, so there will be plenty of time before the next one comes out.

DivaDiane wrote: "Yeah. I'm with you. I just read Empire of the Vampire and it totally didn't end. 800+ pages and virtually none of the major threads were wrapped up! Ahhhh! And it's a new book, so there will be plenty of time before the next one comes out."

Thanks for the warning, DivaDiane! I have been wanting to read this book since it came out, now I'll push it a little farther back on my tbr.

I am still liking Bloody Rose. I might even linke it better than Kings of the Wyld, not quite sure about it yet.

And I desperately have to finish my netgalley audiobook of Krabat, a famous legend from my home region. I love it, and I love this new audiobook production with a full cast. I don't know why I haven't finished it yet.

Tamara wrote: "Chris wrote: "Wow - that's an advanced-language challenge, after 7-8 months of study! Will it be your first novel in French?"

Yes, it'll be my first. Going into it from the view of extensive (reading a lot) rather than intensive (reading for precise understanding) reading. So, I'm continuing without looking up words and meanings as long as I'm following the thread of what's going on in the story. I'd say so far, four chapters in, it's going slowly but well. I'm using an epub version off of Kobo on an ereader, so looking up a word when I do wish to is relatively quick and doesn't involve switching to a computer, phone, or paper dictionary.

I'm kind of surprised because I expected it to be significantly harder than it actually is proving to be, I think largely because it is a story I've read before, even if that was 15+ years ago. I'm finding it somewhat similar in difficulty to when I read The City of Dreaming Books in German for our group read - a language I've studied for years and know much better than French (perhaps a little out of practice on), but a book I'd never read before, and one I was trying to understand a little more thoroughly.

CBRetriever wrote: "Le Nom du vent by Patrick Rothfuss is beautifully translated and very poetic in French"

Cheers, I'll have to keep that one in mind as another option after however much of Rift War I end up tackling in French.

Yeah Ines Jay is currently working on book 2. I was going to read Empire ages ago but decided to wait until it’s closer to being finished.

Finished my first set of Ursula LeGuin's Hainish novels, which included two Hugo Award winners, Left Hand Of Darkness and the Dispossessed, so I'll be leaving her universe and on to Michael Chabon's Yiddish Policemen's Union!

The Yiddish Policemen's Union

Marc, The Yiddish Policemen's Union is a book I've never even heard of. And it's a Hugo winner. Who knew? (Not me obviously!) Alternate history. Interesting. Hope you enjoy.

Just finished my first book by Greg Egan. I didn't even know he was Australian. (I'm an Australian so I feel as if I should have known before LOL).

I read Perihelion Summer which was a very short novel almost a novella. I liked but didn't love it. Some reviews claim it's far from his best work, so I do plan to try some of his other books. Maybe Diaspora or Permutation City.

In between the group's backlist this year I'm trying to read all the Newbery winners in order. So far I've read The Story of Mankind which was surprisingly modern considering it's 100 years old (Although it was kind of sad how optimistic it ended knowing that in the future WWII would happen), The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle with a whole host of racism and white savior syndrome, The Dark Frigate which I enjoyed because I haven't really read much pirate fiction for years, and now I'm on Tales from Silver Lands which are South American folk tales.

This month I've also read All of the Marvels: A Journey to the Ends of the Biggest Story Ever Told which is sort of an intro to the Marvel Comics Universe. It's kind of a combo of lit crit and art history. I found it a good starting point into the themes that have emerged in the comics over time.

Almost two weeks since starting Foxhuntand I'm still only a third of the way through. Can't even say it's particularly bad, but reading it alongside Daughter of the Moon Goddess has felt very draining. Sometimes I've opened the ebook and failed to turn a page before deciding to close the app. It's not that the content is particularly challenging or reprehensible. I've read worse books in considerably less time than this. Not willing to give up on it until I've figured out why I'm not enjoying the reading experience.

Fortunately I went the audiobook route for the finale in what I truly hope is the worst series Tchaikovsky ever writes, The Hyena and the Hawk. Had to reread Children of Ruin to remind myself that he's a talented writer.

You'd think I was in the midst of a reading slump but that's not the case. :/