SFF Hot from Printers: New Releases discussion

Time runs really fast and now we start nominating one SF and one fantasy novel, published in 2022 to read in January next year

I saw a mention of Our Lady of the Artilects by Andrew Gillsmith and it piqued my curiosity, so that's my nomination for the SF slot.

Antti wrote: "I saw a mention of Our Lady of the Artilects by Andrew Gillsmith and it piqued my curiosity, so that's my nomination for the SF slot."

Sounds interesting! Sadly no audio yet, but eye-read may be worth it

I’m interested in that one too, Antti!

Ymir by Rich Larson for fantasy. I've read only short stories by him and there were good

If I’m not mistaken Ymir is science fiction. I believe it’s set on an ice planet in the future, etc.

Stephen wrote: "If I’m not mistaken Ymir is science fiction. I believe it’s set on an ice planet in the future, etc."

Thanks for pointing this out. You're correct, only 2 tagged it as fantasy compared with 25 for SF, so it is my SF nomination

How about The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler for SF.

Ed wrote: "How about The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler for SF."

It is definitely in my TBR pile

Have you heard of The Stars Undying? It seems interesting.

I’m reading The Mountain in the Sea right now. It is slow but interesting.

Ooh, I haven’t heard of that one yet, Leticia, but it sounds really good!

Leticia wrote: "Have you heard of The Stars Undying? It seems interesting."

I haven't. is it your nomination?

Oleksandr wrote: "Ed wrote: "How about The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler for SF."

It is definitely in my TBR pile"

I'm hoping it will have talking squids.

SF: A Half-Built Garden
Fantasy: The World We Make

I agree with MH for Fantasy: The World We Make
For SF I will try (again) Upgrade

MH wrote: "SF: A Half-Built Garden
Fantasy: The World We Make"

Oh, there is a 2nd volume of N.K. Jemisin... I cannot say I liked the 1st book, but I hope the 2nd is better

Oleksandr wrote: "Oh, there is a 2nd volume of N.K. Jemisin... I cannot say I liked the 1st book, but I hope the 2nd is better "

I enjoyed the first one, but it had some irritating features. But given usual Hugo nomination patterns, anything by Jemisin is likely to be a contender, or at least something I'd want to have an informed opinion on when doing my rankings.

I agree, MH.

I’m excited about a lot of these nominations so far. So I won’t bother nominating any myself.

Oleksandr wrote: "Leticia wrote: "Have you heard of The Stars Undying? It seems interesting."

I haven't. is it your nomination?"

Yes, though I consider the ebook a bit expensive atm.

Kristenelle wrote: "I agree, MH.

I’m excited about a lot of these nominations so far. So I won’t bother nominating any myself."

I'm excited about a lot of them as well. There's lots of good stuff to read ATM.

Fantasy: The Path of Thorns
SF: I'm not really sure...I like the others already suggested, but to make things interesting I'll add Ocean's Echo

We have a notably lower number of fantasy nominees than SF. Why? Is it that the group more interested in SF or no good new releases or something else? Maybe we should stop 1 SF 1 fantasy limit, and just have 2 SFF books for monthly reads. Ideas?

This year I have read more sci-fi than fantasy somehow.

I second The Path of Thorns, I might read it now in November though. Another interesting fantasy might be The Book of Gothel, have you read that?

Leticia wrote: "Another interesting fantasy might be The Book of Gothel, have you read that?"

I haven't. Moreover, I've read nothing by the author

I do tend to be more interested in sci-fi, but I enjoy a lot of the fantasy we read. Idk. I’m also interested in Book of Gothel. That can be my fantasy nomination this month.

Ok, we'll keep 1 SF 1 fantasy for now, but if there are any alternative suggestions do not hesitate to ask!

I would vote for nominating 2 SFF books, but both could as well be sci-fi.

I'm generally more interested in SF, and usually struggle with a fantasy nomination. That said, I could think of several good options this time.

I'm very seldom interested in Fantasy, and basically never nominate or vote in that category.

For once I've been reading predominantly fantasy this year (participating in a Witcher challenge helped push that along), and I'm surprisingly not bored by it. There's such a diverse range of styles and subgenres.

That said, I'm reading slowly right now and finding it hard to keep up with monthly reads, and reading-as-racing-to-keep-up is not a good feeling, so I'm going to be taking a break from nominating/voting/reading in this group for the foreseeable future.

Kalin wrote: "There's such a diverse range of styles and subgenres."

True, there is even an opinion that SF is a subgenre in fantasy, but I guess it depends on definition

Kalin wrote: "I'm going to be taking a break "

This is sad news for me, your comments are always welcome but I perfectly understand the need for a break with both real life and your own group putting pressure. Get back when you can, threads will be waiting for you! :)

Kalin wrote: "For once I've been reading predominantly fantasy this year (participating in a Witcher challenge helped push that along), and I'm surprisingly not bored by it. There's such a diverse range of style..."

It is indeed difficult to keep up with BOTMs in different groups, especially in the last months of the year.

Leticia wrote: "It is indeed difficult to keep up with BOTMs in different groups, especially in the last months of the year."

I guess we can slow down and go with a single book per month, as we already planned for December, but as for an 'ordinary' month, I guess two books are better because even with two, the activity in the group in the 2nd half of the month is usually quite low. I assume that one of the reasons for the group is to discuss books and this is better with more active members. Members 'discover' our group usually via search and it is listed at the top only if there are recent new posts. One book per month - fewer new members - the lower activity of existing ones...

I know about the activity in a group struggle...
I think that reducing the number of books being read isn't the way, but what exactly is the way Idk either.

Yeah, don't change it for me. I'm just in a life stage right now that makes it hard to find time to read, but that two books a month is reasonable for a group, especially if other group members don't have other reading/GR commitments.

My reading pace is seriously lagging of late too. 😭

we could play games and have cool discussions to up the number of posts??? Of course, we already have lots of cool discussions, but we could have more . . .

In my own group I plan to make 2-3 yearly challenges but indeed few people have time for reading challenges lately, we also have a bookopoly game going on but most stopped participating atm. This year I stopped participating in monthy or bi-monthly challenges and I gave up on doing more than 2-3 yearly challenges too.

Sometimes I think that the lack of participation in my group is mainly due to it being a very small secret group mainly for buddy reads, but bigger groups have the problem too and require a lot more of moderation so in the end I'm ok with "less is more".

I've made our polls, so you all can go and vote not only on US elections today

Sf - https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...
Fantasy - https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

Ha! Only two Fantasy, you were right, it’s slim pickings!

A bit late but maybe for February - Rich Horton, known antology editor and fandom activist, tweeted recently https://twitter.com/HortonRich/status...

The three 2022 SF/F novels that most delighted me: I
THE MOUNTAIN IN THE SEA, by Ray Nayler,
SAINT DEATH'S DAUGHTER, by C. S. E. Cooney,
ASPECTS, by John M. Ford

Last two are fantasy

A bit delayed report on polls' results (due to bombing electricity is often out, and internet too)
SF: Our Lady of the Artilects
Fantasy: The World We Make

The next nominations I guess will be for SFFH, anything goes, for there were only 6 votes for fantasy (9 for SF)

I didn't vote but I will likely join for The World We Make since my friend got me the book. :)