Fantasy Book Club discussion

A new month is upon us already! What are you going to read?

I'm reading The Heroes by awsome Joe Abercrombie
and after that The Cardinal's Blades

I'm reading Holly Black's trilogy starting with Tithe, then Valiant and Ironside...great fun!

I am reading Sub Rosa and Ysabel. After that I will waste some time reading The Calling before taking on The Case for Animal Rights.

After that it is time for The Heroes and finally all 1004 pages of The Way of Kings. I will also read a few graphic novels, probably Footnotes in Gaza: A Graphic Novel and Pussey!.

I'm not sure my reading has changed much. I am now reading A Storm of Swords. Should finish in the next week or two and then I will finish the series, as it stands anyway, with A Feast for Crows.

Still in the middle of Magic Study by Maria Snyder. I'll probably jump into Fire Study next.

King Hereafter, a very dense historical novel of Scotland and the Orkney Isles early 11th century. The Death of the Necromancer, although I've been distracted by other books, and Magician: Apprentice with the series group. Still trying to decide on Gardens of the Moon, also for the series group. Plus a few of Karin Lowachee's books, C.J. Cherryh's Alliance/Union series, and umpteen others. My TBR pile is weighing on me. Just picked up Among Others as Stefan is reading it and it sounds good.

For a short month, I have way too much reading I need to finish, all of it related to virtual and physical book clubs.

Currently, I'm reading Magician: Apprentice by Raymond E. Feist as part of the GR FBCS group read of the Riftwar Saga, which just kick off this month.

I ordered Cold Magic by Kate Elliott to participate in the GR SF&F BC group read of that novel. I wasn't planning on buy it, but I was shocked to learn that my amazing public library on the ground floor of my employer's building (aka the Kansas City Public Library Plaza Branch) had not yet purchased a copy. It's rare that I can't find a book through the KC library system.

As part of that library's Winter Reading Program, I'll also quickly re-read Fahrenheit 451 by Bradbury and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Twain. I hope to earn a cool mug and be entered in a drawing for a Nook.

I am also participating in another reading program sponsored by the KC Library called 'A Taste of Victorian Literature' so I'm reading Mansfield Park by Jane Austen this month to participate in a group discussion held at the Plaza Branch the evening of Wed Feb 16 at 6:30 pm.

I'll be continuing the group read at Beyond Reality for Janny Wurts' Wars of Light and Shadow with Traitor's Knot.

And back at FBCS in mid-February, I'll begin a re-read of the ebook version of Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson to participate in the alternate series group read of Malazan Book of the Fallen.

Should I pray for more blizzard like weather so I'll have more time to read? Otherwise, I've probably bitten off more than I can chew (or read) during the shortest and coldest month of the year.

For any other reads I might try to squeeze in, see my current-month book shelf.

I'm currently reading Dracula... Not sure why, I just had the urge to do so. It's ok so far, not my usual thing though. Once I finish with that I'll start Wolves of the Calla, and then probably Song of Susannah and The Dark Tower. I'll finish out the month with a reread of The Name of the Wind, in preparation for The Wise Man's Fear in March. And if I have any time between all of that, I'm sure I'll find something to squeeze in there! :)

Jon

Your organization in structuring your reading is pretty amazing. I basically go to the library in my town, which I have to say is pretty good, and take out whatever takes my fancy. So in a given month there could be a thriller, a mystery, a naval fiction novel, science fiction or fantasy. I scour www.bn.com and amazon to see what else may be coming out in fiction in the next month or so as well. Recently I even bought some fantasy and sf books at the store.

In other words unless I know a particular book is coming out I basically have no clue what I am going to read next or even in a given month.

Jeffrey wrote: "Jon, Your organization in structuring your reading is pretty amazing."

Sometimes it's a curse (like this month). I spent most of the 90s doing exactly what you're doing, and I enjoyed myself just as much (and probably had less stress overall). GoodReads ... a blessing and a curse to my reading adventures. :)

I am currently fully engaged in "The Malazan Book of the Fallen" series by Steven Erikson. I am reading the sixth in the series, The Bonehunters. I will be participating in the read/re-read and group discussion of the first book, Gardens of the Moon. Fortunately, with all of the business travel I have this month, I think I'll be able to complete my first read-through of the entire series by the time the final book in the series, The Crippled God is released in early-March!

I've just finished the last Harry Dresden book, Changes. Now onto the third Adrian Tchaikovsky Shadows of the Apt, Blood of the Mantis. After that, I'd like to reread The Name of the Wind before the next one comes out in March, as well as the first two Beka Cooper books, Terrier and Bloodhound since Mastiff is coming out in March, too! (So much to look forward to in March!) If I still find myself with spare time, perhaps I'll go for the second Codex Alera, Academ's Fury...

This month I'm reading:

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen for my English Lit class,
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin for my book club,
Eldest by Christopher Paolini because I loved the first one and I want to finish the series but I haven't had much time to read it lately
and
Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey because I heard this series was good, and I'm enjoying it so far, but I also haven't had much time to read it recently.

I'm currently in the middle of:
Stone of Tears by Terry Goodkind
The Art of War by Niccolò Machiavelli
Magic by Isaac Asimov
Worlds of Weber by David Weber
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

I should also start The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan for my book club soon. Really hoping to finish the first two books this month, been reading them for over 4 months now.

Reading Wizard and Glass, and I love it. I have already put up The dark Tower as a favorite series, cause this is right up my alley. And having read three and a half of the books, I think I can call myself a fan.
Gonna look for Cold Magic in bookstores, if I find it I will read that next. If not I have enough books waiting in my shelf. I may read Dune, that I picked up the other day. It looks really good.

Let'see now...
Cloudsplitter by Russell Banks, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrellby Susanna Clarke, The Passage by Justin Cronin, Parting the Waters: Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement 1954-63 by Taylor Branch, Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King.

At least that's the plan!

Downloaded some new books on my Nook today, a few of my TBR I've been wanting to get to :


Also picked up Smoke and Mirrors at the bookstore with the kids
All this on top of my Malazan re-read...I must be trying to lose my mind. But what a way to go :)

I just finished Carol Berg's The Spirit Lens and was VERY pleased with the quality of the writing, characters and mystery which leaves many unanswered questions so I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

Joy wrote: "I just finished Carol Berg's The Spirit Lens and was VERY pleased with the quality of the writing, characters and mystery which leaves many unanswered questions so I'm looking forwar..."

Oh, I love Carol Berg! Am looking forward to reading these books.

Joy wrote: "I just finished Carol Berg's The Spirit Lens and was VERY pleased with the quality of the writing, characters and mystery which leaves many unanswered questions so I'm looking forwar..."

The sequel, just out, is but definitely topping my hot list, too.

I just bought Spirit Lens -- because of the rave reviews of the people on here.

Jeffrey wrote: "I just bought Spirit Lens -- because of the rave reviews of the people on here."

Berg's work has that delightful mix of sharp unpredictability/things are much deeper than they appear/not as they seem on the surface. She evolves her ideas very close to the chest at the start - so often with a book 1 in her series, you get this stunning about face unveiling as she carries her story line forward. Definitely DEFINITELY wait to see where she will take the ideas - part of why I anticipate the second book so much.

Having read her earlier works (all of them) it is a particular point of mastery - there is always that which is 'around the corner' that vastly deepens and shifts what has gone before.

I adore books that do this. Can't STAND to see what's coming. Authors who can denue with this sort of enchanting brilliance are rare beasts.

The Lighthouse Duology was just breathtaking.

Currently working on Wen Spencer's [Book: Alien Taste]. Not fantasy, I know, but that was the next book in my queue.

John wrote: "Currently working on Wen Spencer's [Book: Alien Taste]. Not fantasy, I know, but that was the next book in my queue."

I don't know, it seems very fantasy with enough SF elements in it to cause a problem.

Started The Great Hunt a couple of days ago and loving it so far!

Janny wrote: "Jeffrey wrote: "I just bought Spirit Lens -- because of the rave reviews of the people on here."

Berg's work has that delightful mix of sharp unpredictability/things are much deeper than they appe..."

For me, also, too much predictability is the kiss of death. I very much like unexpected developments in the story.

Ahem. I've been 'reading' The Death of the Necromancer for a month now, but now I am finishing it!

Currently reading The Knight by Gene Wolfe. I seriously don't know what to think about it though, because sometimes it gets really childish but has fantastic fantasy elements in it... guess I'll just have to keep on going :)

Right now I am plugging away through Mountain of Black Glass in the Otherland series by Tad Williams. So far I have been really enjoying this series, though it is not as much fantasy as sci-fi, but still has some fantasy elements to it.

I was reading The Book of Lost Tales, Part One but I'm taking a break from it.
I'm currently reading White Blaze Fever.
I'm re-reading The Hobbit.

So far this month I've read The Exorcist and the first three Southern Vampire books by Charlaine Harris (don't judge me!). I'm currently reading As I Lay Dying, The End of Faith, The Return of the King and From Hell.

Donegal wrote: "So far this month I've read The Exorcist and the first three Southern Vampire books by Charlaine Harris (don't judge me!). I'm currently reading As I Lay Dying, [book:Th..."

Sookie Stackhouse is a secret pleasure for me, too. Gotta have a few of those.

Janny wrote: "The Lighthouse Duology was just breathtaking".
Oh, yes ! It always is a wonder to follow her plots but her characters are another wonder. Pleasant or no, they manage to convey a very singular emotional signature. This seldom happens : Valen and Seyonne are in par with G.G. Kay's characters and Bujold's Cazaril.

Hélène wrote: "Janny wrote: "The Lighthouse Duology was just breathtaking".
Oh, yes ! It always is a wonder to follow her plots but her characters are another wonder. Pleasant or no, they manage to convey a very..."


Characters with a distinct signature like that are less rare than you think - here's a list of authors who characterize to that exceptional degree:

Jennifer Roberson - her Karavans duology is fantastic, and recent. All her series are good, too, though she got MUCH better after her first.

Patricia A. McKillip, Barbara Hambly,Juliet Marillier, Martha Wells, Sherwood Smith(try Inda,) Sarah Zettel, Heather Gladney Joy Chant, Ellen Kushner, and Megan Lindholm- who is really Robin Hobb, before the pen name, to name a few off the cuff...

If you like Kay, Berg, and Bujold I suggest checking these authors out.

I finally finished The Death of the Necromancer! Yay! My review is here.

Am starting Warchild one of my current month books, and hope to finish before Tuesday when I'll start Gardens of the Moon with the series group.

Fated, an excellent comic/dark fantasy/romance in the Dead Like Me vein.

I am half way through The Habitation of the Blessed. Odd book full of odd creatures. I really wish there were illustrations or at least a glossary describing the creatures more thoroughly. It would definitely help me picture these creatures better. But so far that my only complaint; it is a fascinating story.

I have been absent for a while here.
Nonetheless, I read books :)

I have finished His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman

The Amber Spyglass was very good. A couple of heart wrenching moments, such as when they have to separate with ....and go to the Underworld and a few others. I am not sure whether kids or even teenagers who have never experienced true love, can fully understand the depth of some of the feelings. I have a suspicion that although Pullman uses teenagers as protagonists, he is speaking to a wider audience, mainly adult.
There are two epigraphs of the last chapters that I have added to my favourite quotes. I love them, although one of them is one of the sweetest things in the world and another is so bitter...and they usually follow each other just like that chapters in the book.

All in all, a very good trilogy.

Then I started to read The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins
I have finished the first two books and liked them quite a lot. Sometimes I have this deja-vu feeling because of certain ideas and atmosphere similar to We and 1984.
I like Catnip. She is not perfect. Her friends can be smarter and kinder than she is. Then again, she is a true survivalist. She would not be one, if she were as humane as her friends. It is the reality we face every day. As somebody said: Well behaved women rarely make history. I could only add that it applies to all human beings.

At the moment I am 1/3 into .

Was reading Curse of the Mistwraith until I lost it at the Seattle airport. And I was more than halfway through. That book took a while to get in to - I was reading it in between other books but then it finally kinda sunk in and now, I'm really into it! Already bought the sequel.
In the meantime, I'm reading The Summer Tree which a friend lent me which is a totally different planet. The Summer Tree

Frantically re-reading The Name of the Wind in preparation for the imminent release of The Wise Man's Fear.

Finally tackling the Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson. I've heard so many good things I had to give them a try and so far I'm loving it. Just what I need...another author that I'll have a burning need to read everything he writes...

Just started reading Allon: Book 1 by Shawn Lamb.

I am reading Rhapsody, bored nothing do read, picked the book up from my shelf randomly, so good so far.

Donegal wrote: "So far this month I've read The Exorcist and the first three Southern Vampire books by Charlaine Harris (don't judge me!). I'm currently reading As I Lay Dying, [book:Th..."

I am totally addicted to Eric, lol :) I have read them all. Just finished the newest one this month!

Benjamin wrote: "Finally tackling the Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson. I've heard so many good things I had to give them a try and so far I'm loving it. Just what I need...another author that I'll have a bur..."

That trilogy is absolutely fantastic. I look forward to hearing what you think of it! I am one of those people who has to read everything Brandon Sanderson writes, lol :), and the Mistborn Trilogy was what got me hooked on his work.

I read the last Sookie Stackhouse Book at the beginning of the month (Dead in the Family) and am currently reading the fourth installment of The Twelve Kingdoms (Skies of Dawn). In addition to fantasy, I have loved anime and fantasy based in Asian cultural mythology for most of my life. This series of books falls into that vein. I really enjoy them!

Just finished 'Name of the Wind' by Patrick Rothfuss, and now onto Anne McCaffrey's Dragonflight.

I am currently in the middle of The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien. To be honest, the world building and lack of relating to the characters is a bit of a shocker and not what I expected from seeing the movies, but I am enjoying the book nonetheless, and I will eagerly continue with the series.

Other books that are on my bookshelf to be read in February/beginning of March:

Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller
Magic Study by Maria Snyder
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Sabriel by Garth Nix
1984 by George Orwell
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip Dick

Among others as well, these are just the library books that need to be read so I can return them.

I've finished Empire in Black and Gold by Adrian Tchaikovsky. I really liked the steampunk-setting with the insect-kinden people who inhabit it. The story though, felt a bit fragmented and simplistic. Not sure if I'll continue this series.

I'm more than halfway through A Shadow in Summer, which is more to my taste. Written in a subtle and realistic way, the characters are very much alive to me. I'm looking forward to finish it and continue this series.

Also, for in the train I'm reading The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 3/4, which has really funny moments but is not a book I would enjoy cover-to-cover. Because I'm reading it in the train, it's chopped in small bits, which is fine.