What are you reading this year 2020?

univoxs · Feb 19, 2020

chrisshorb said:
Cherryh is the best.
I seriously considered buying up all the Invader series at the used book store yesterday. The Chanur books were my favorite.
Never read her fantasy though - Gate of Ivrel etc. Has anyone else?

Foreigner Book 20 just came out as well as a new Alliance Union book this year. Both are right on the money as always. I have read almost everything she has written and yes go read Morgan Saga that Gate of Ivrel is in. Its her first an awesome blend of SciFi Fantasy. Its one of those far future ideas where humanity is scattered and regressed to more ancient systems of culture and tech.

The thing she does so well is have you fallow a character that can allow you to explore the world she has created. A master world builder.

Her fantasy series Rusalka is unique and unlike any other fantasy out there. The Fortress series hues a little closer to typical sword and sorcerery. Paladin is another unique book and I would almost call it alternate asian history over fantasy. The Ealdwood books are more folklore and fairy in tradition but quick reads as the books are short.

Ralif Redhammer · Feb 20, 2020

Just finished Harrison's Deathworld. It was surprisingly gripping and sharply written. Not groundbreaking sci-fi, but it certainly held up 60 years later.

Now I'm off to re-read Leiber's Swords in the Mist. Finally got that back from my brother.

Richards · Feb 22, 2020

chrisshorb said:
For what it's worth, I would start with Perdido Street Station. It's one of his best. Also the book before the Scar, although they stand alone and I don't think there are any overlapping characters. Or if they are, they are minor in one or the other.

Well, it's too late for that - I'm 400+ pages into "The Scar." Had I found "Perdido Street Station" first I'd probably have picked it up, as I purchased it on name recognition and having recalled reading (here, actually) several people enthusing how good an author he was. But never fear: I'm enjoying this book enough that I'll probably hunt up "Perdido Street Station" at some point in the near future.

Johnathan

Son of the Serpent · Feb 22, 2020

Dragon riders of pern series

Son of the Serpent · Feb 22, 2020

Ralif Redhammer said:
I finished Kothar and the Wizard Slayer, and with it the whole of the Kothar series. For being dated and either a Conan rip-off or satire, it was a lot of fun.

Now I'm trying out some old school sci-fi with Harry Harrison's Deathworld.

The way i see it there is no such thing as good stories becoming dated. If it was good I'll bet 20 years later when your kid reads it he'll be thinking huh...old but good just like you. Beowulf never gets old. Ive found the same is true of newer but still good stories that are none the less older than a lot of stories these days.

Eyes of Nine · Feb 22, 2020

Son of the Serpent said:
The way i see it there is no such thing as good stories becoming dated.

I don't actually agree. Many stories from the early to mid 20th century are quite racist and/or sexist. There's so much good stuff coming out now, I don't find any reason to go back and read those older books and force myself to ignore those aspects.

Son of the Serpent · Feb 22, 2020

chrisshorb said:
I don't actually agree. Many stories from the early to mid 20th century are quite racist and/or sexist. There's so much good stuff coming out now, I don't find any reason to go back and read those older books and force myself to ignore those aspects.

With most of those situations its a bit like tom sawyer. There is racism. But the author included it because it was authentic to the time. Not because he hated black people. For me its a plus. Not because i support racism, but because it can be a part of making a story believeable which is often times part of making it good. The world is dark.

But thats my preference. We all have our preferences. I am sure you have good reasons for yours.

Ps - also of course some people are just being racist. That happens too. Cant be helped.

univoxs · Feb 22, 2020

I'm not seeing all that much love for Malazan books. I only do them as audio. You think there would be a game out for it by now too, especially seeing as it was born orignally from the author learning to play AD&D.

Nellisir · Feb 23, 2020

Son of the Serpent said:
With most of those situations its a bit like tom sawyer. There is racism. But the author included it because it was authentic to the time. Not because he hated black people. For me its a plus. Not because i support racism, but because it can be a part of making a story believeable which is often times part of making it good. The world is dark.

But thats my preference. We all have our preferences. I am sure you have good reasons for yours.

Ps - also of course some people are just being racist. That happens too. Cant be helped.

The sexism bothers me more than the racism; I find it both more overt and more common.

Nellisir · Feb 23, 2020

univoxs said:
Foreigner Book 20 just came out as well as a new Alliance Union book this year. Both are right on the money as always. I have read almost everything she has written and yes go read Morgan Saga that Gate of Ivrel is in. Its her first an awesome blend of SciFi Fantasy. Its one of those far future ideas where humanity is scattered and regressed to more ancient systems of culture and tech.

The thing she does so well is have you fallow a character that can allow you to explore the world she has created. A master world builder.

Her fantasy series Rusalka is unique and unlike any other fantasy out there. The Fortress series hues a little closer to typical sword and sorcerery. Paladin is another unique book and I would almost call it alternate asian history over fantasy. The Ealdwood books are more folklore and fairy in tradition but quick reads as the books are short.

What's the Alliance Union book?
I just reread the Cyteen sequel last year; still have to go back and reread Cyteen itself.
I've read almost all* of her SF and love it. I have a harder time with the fantasy. Paladin I did really enjoy; and the Morgaine Cycle is awesome, but I just couldn't parse the first Fortress book and Rusalka didn't draw me in. I'm going to try the Fortress books again though.

*I read the first three or four Foreigner trilogies and then quit, so I'm not up on those.

What are you reading this year 2020?

univoxs

That's my dog, Walter

Ralif Redhammer

Legend

Richards

Legend

Son of the Serpent

Pupil

Son of the Serpent

Pupil

Eyes of Nine

Everything's Fine

Son of the Serpent

Pupil

univoxs

That's my dog, Walter

Nellisir

Hero

Nellisir

Hero

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