Beyond Reality discussion

Please let us know what else you're reading this month!

Still reading The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks

Just finished Children of the Company today.

I'm now in the middle of .

After that. . . I should probably read something by a man. So far this year my ratio is 4 male authors/25 female authors. . . it's all the binging on Heyer and Sayers that's throwing me off, but still. Might pick up one of these:

"Origin" by JA Konrath. Says it's a techno-thriller but the plot seems squarely "Beyond Reality" to me. Looking forward to it.

Still reading The Name of the Wind. I got sidetracked into reading Deserted Cities of the Heart (back to the '80s!) and now The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack (Burton & Swinburne #1). I will finish The Name of the Wind, and then move on to Lord of Light.

I finished listening to The Name of the Wind yesterday (I had previously read it in print.) and started listening to The Wise Man's Fear fear today.

In print, I'm reading One of Our Thursdays Is Missing.

Just finished --wow! Will be heading to the discussion thread for that in a few minutes.

Starting this weekend.

I'm going thru a Cory Doctorow phase, and a Frederik Pohl phase. plus I am really digging that http://www.literature-map.com/ It's a great way to find similar authors. Plus many I might not know. It's bookmarked on every comp I use!

I'm with Sandi, I'm about half way through Wise Man's Fears, couldn't resist after Name of the Wind.

I'm finishing up Lord of Light, and although I intended only to read a few pages to see if it might be something I'd like to read, I've somehow found myself zipping through 75% of Eon: Dragoneye Reborn. So, I'll finish those up and move on to:



That will pretty much fill up the month, I think.

I am going on Asimov run with just having finished Foundation and Empire, then onto his other classics, incluing Pebble in the Sky, which I am currenting read. Afterwards, The Stars Like Dust, Currents of Space, then The End of Enternity, alone with maybe Fatastic Voyage and Second Foundation to wrap it all up.

I just finished Scalzi's Old Man's War and its quite good. It started out as the standard Military SF novel but Scalzi's writing drew me in and I could not put it down.

Started on a Rebus Mystery
Mortal Causes

This spring, summer I intend to finish up a bunch or series i had started but never finished
Myles Vorkosgian
Inspector Rebus
Doctor Who (Eighth Doctor BBC series)
Dresden Files

John Scalzi's Books
and a bunch of interesting Non Fiction stuff

Nope. Old Man's War was my first

I'm not crazy about Scalzi. For some reason, his characters all have the exact same snarky sense of humor and same speech patterns. I noticed it first in Old Man's War, where all of the old people sound exactly the same, and then it's even more noticeable in Agent to the Stars, where not only most of the human characters but even the ALIENS sound the same. (I haven't read God Engines though - I've heard it's very different from his other books, and it actually sounds interesting enough where I'd give it a try.)

I've just started Halting State this morning.

I've just finished Doomsday Book. It was a reread, but I enjoyed it just as much this time as the first time.

I sped through the three Nebula nominees we're reading this month (I'm Alive, I Love You, I'll See You in Reno was my favourite).

Now I'm tossing up between The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress or Lord of Light, so my next read will be a classic, whichever way I go.

Last month I concentrated on mysteries for another group. I enjoyed it, but I'm glad to get back into other genres this month. I'm still working on one more mystery that I'm reading on my iPad. Once I finish that one, I'll start Black Sun Rising: The Coldfire Trilogy #1. I've started listening to Archangel by Sharon Shinn. This was nominated here several times and didn't win, but thought it sounded interesting so decided to give it a try. So far I'm really enjoying it.

Deedee wrote: "Still reading The Name of the Wind. I got sidetracked into reading Deserted Cities of the Heart (back to the '80s!) and now The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Ja..."</i>

Wow! [book:Deserted Cities of the Heart!! Hadn't thought about that one in years. I read it when it first came out, and I remember it blowing me away. Now, after decades of "Celestine Prophecy" and similar ilk (much inferior to "Deserted Cities...") I don't know if it would pack the same punch.

Kerry wrote: "I've just finished Doomsday Book. It was a reread, but I enjoyed it just as much this time as the first time."

I downloaded the audio version yesterday. I read it when it first came out and have been wanting to re-read it. However, with too many books and so little time, I'm beginning to find audio good for re-reads as long as the narrator is good. The narrator in the clip sounded perfect.

Up next is Jim Butcher's Side Jobs: Stories From the Dresden Files and then Joe Abercrombie's The Blade Itself. Looking forward to both!

I just finished The Forever War, and have started Jo Walton's new book, Among Others. This is the first book in a while for which I have broken my no-new-hardcovers rule, but my local library system hasn't ordered it, so I caved.

Just finishing Asimov 's first Foundation book.Anyone who hasn't checked it out should! I decided I had too much Pohl, so I am going on an Asimov run for now.

Nick wrote: "Deedee wrote: "Still reading The Name of the Wind. I got sidetracked into reading Deserted Cities of the Heart (back to the '80s!) and now The Strange Affair of S..."</i>

I've finished [book:Deserted Cities of the Heart. Wow! What a trip amongst the revolutionaries and Mayans in the rainforests of the Yucatan.

I've recently pulled out my yellowing (but never read) copy of Lord of Light from a box, for this month's BOTM; and I found another yellowing, never read, but recommended copy of Involution Ocean, and I pulled that book out also. As soon as I'm done with The Name of the Wind I'll start reading them. (And I'm on chapter 80!!! Not much longer!!!)

I also have The Wise Man's Fear here by my chair. I'm going to take a week off between The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fear, and then start reading it. Maybe that way I'll finish The Wise Man's Fear before the end of next month. :0)

Really busy of late, that said I recently finished an old Andre Norton book Star Man's Son, 2250 A.D good old post apocalyptic yarn written in the 50s, I am just finishing CryoBurn by Lois McMaster Bujold, I loved the Miles books but this one is very tame. I might try a Galactic Center series by Greg Benford next.

I'm reading Soft Apocalypse by Will McIntosh for review. Didn't expect to like this book as much as I do.

Right now I'm reading Silverthorn and Spiral Hunt going on Shel's liking of the series. Starting Black Sun Rising: The Coldfire Trilogy #1 soon. Here's my current shelf, although am not sure I'll get to them all. Gave up on Deadhouse Gates right at Part 4. Here's my review.

Bookbrow wrote: "Really busy of late, that said I recently finished an old Andre Norton book Star Man's Son, 2250 A.D good old post apocalyptic yarn written in the 50s..."


Where did you find that?????? I read it several times in grade school. It's the book that turned me on to post-apocalyptic fiction. I would love to read it again.

I just finished Mortal Causes, Rebus mystery. Pretty damn good one. Started out slow and pow I could not put it down

Started With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa
After watching The Pacific last year I found out part of the story was based on this guys memoirs.

Still working my way through Black Projects White Knights by Kage Baker one story at a time between other reads.

I finished Grand Conspiracy. After reading The Mote in God's Eye a while ago, I decided to read its sequel, The Gripping Hand, so that's what I started last night. After that I'll return to Athera with the next book in Janny's series.

Getting into The Man With The Golden Torc by Simon R. Green. Good pacing and sense of humor, interesting characters, lots of action. Enjoying it so far.

Finished Spiral Hunt which I enjoyed, and Silverthorn which was ok. Also finished Heavy Time which I loved. Am now reading our selection for fantasy for this month Black Sun Rising: The Coldfire Trilogy #1 and starting The Spirit Lens.

Sometimes I need a break from fantasy so just listened to One Good Dog, which was uneven but all in all good. Starting an Elizabeth George - With No One as Witness. Haven't listened to one of hers in years, but used to enjoy them.

I love Feist, think I might have to read his 2 trilogys that are sitting on my shelf: Conclave of shadows and the following one.

Just finished Shards of Honour, since I thought it was about time I took on the Vorkosigan saga.
Really liked it, kind of understated romance + SF.

Looking forward to more!

Jan - that series gets better and better as it progresses. It was our first series discussion - the folder is still up if you want to look at or add to the topics: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/group_...

I just finished The Quantum Thief by Hannu Rajaniemi and am working on the review. Next up I'm very excited to finally get to Haven: A Trail of Blood and Steel: Book 4, the last book in Joel Shepherd's excellent fantasy series.

Oooh thanks, I'll keep that in mind for later, I don't want to spoil to much for now.
My library is really bad at them, so I have to request them from all over the country, but I think I'll be able to get my hands on all of them eventually.

I had started The Kingdom: A Berkeley Blackfriars Novel, a Firstreads win, before Leo was born - finally felt able to concentrate on a book and picked it back up again the other day, and finished it this afternoon. Honestly, if it hadn't been a Firstreads win, I probably wouldn't have bothered to pick it back up. It was mildly entertaining but not at all well-written. A quick read, though.

I'm not sure what's next. Still not in the frame of mind to concentrate on anything complex, so Athera is out ;) I'm trying to decide if I'm up for re-reading Black Sun Rising: The Coldfire Trilogy #1 - it IS a complex book, but one that I've already read at least 3 or 4 times so I might be able to handle it!

I just finished Halting State and Red Seas Under Red Skies - spectacularly different, but I loved them both. I'm trying to alternate fantasy and sci-fi at the moment (and the odd crime novel sneaks in).

Finally caught up on my reviews, so I can post a mid-month update:

Finished
-The Philosophical Breakfast Club: Four Remarkable Friends Who Transformed Science and Changed the World, which was a quite enjoyable and informative history of science book. Reviewed here.
-The Habitation of the Blessed, which vaulted into place as the best thing I've read so far this year. It's. . . well. . . perfect. Review here.

Rewarded myself with some more Heyer; read in quick succession:
and (reread)
The Masqueraders was the standout and utterly delightful; made me want to reread Twelfth Night and inspired me to get back to work on one of the stories that's been cluttering up my back brain.

Now I'm in the middle of:

Phoenixfalls wrote: "Finally caught up on my reviews, so I can post a mid-month update:"

I'm am embarrassingly behind on my reviews.

Sherri wrote: "Just finished up a reread of A New Species: Gender and Science in Science Fiction, which is pretty much enough for one month, but I'm also rereading the Sherlock Holmes short stories..."

Ooooo, those sound fascinating! Would love to hear your thoughts when you finish!

Finished With the Old Breed. Interesting book about the two battles in the last year of WW2 in the pacific. Truly nasty.

Started on a Miles Vorkosigan book Memory


Wow, I seem to be reading a bit more this year. Last year was pretty disappointing but I seem to be back in the book saddle again.

Finished One Good Dog and With No One as Witness. Both good, the George especially so. Read Burndive, and find Lowachee truly a quality writer, although the ebook was filled with typos, very irritating. They took down Cagebird and I wonder if that was the reason. Looked like the publisher just scanned it in without bothering to edit in hopes of a quick buck. Very annoying. Anyway, I have Cagebird in paperback, although I'm finding it harder and harder to read the print in paper books. My Nook is so much easier.

Am reading further in The Spirit Lens and starting Hellburner, having enjoyed Heavy Time so much. Cherryh is another quality writer who can be depended on for a great read.

Finally finished my reread of The Name of the Wind a few days ago and started The Wise Man's Fear yesterday. Hoping (but very unlikely) to have it finished in time for next month's discussion.

I enjoyed Wise Man's Fear. I've started Ghost King by David Gemmell.

I just finished and reviewed the amazing The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay. It is not SFF, but anyone who loves comics will enjoy the book.

I started Traitor's Knot last night and found myself immediately in a bar fight. I do love fast paced openings.

Just started Children of Scarabaeus, the sequel to Song of Scarabaeus, which was one of my SF discoveries earlier this year. I think it's a mix between biopunk (think cyberpunk with biotechnology) and space opera, though that doesn't do it justice.

Anyway, I'm all excited.

Also reading Bears, Recycling and Confusing Time Paradoxes, which is a humorous short story collection, but a couple of stories have a SF setting. Really like it so far.

I'm catching up with the rest of the world and reading the mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson. Enjoyed Mistborn: The Final Empire a lot. The Well of Ascension: Book two of Mistborn not so much. Still optimistic about the third book, though. Would like to check out the discussions from when the first volume was BOTM for this group, but not sure how to access it.

Slightly off-the-wall, but looking for something to read that won't distract me too much from my own writing, I've just started on a fanfic called "Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality" which is a hilarious take-off of how the HP series might look if Harry had been a child prodigy brought up by scientists. It's making me and my husband laugh out loud at regular intervals.