this post was submitted on 31 Aug 2023
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Science Fiction

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Lemmy World Rules

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Aside from Project Hail Mary which I assume every /c/sciencefiction subscriber is going to read what have you been reading or plan to read?

Here is last months post. What are you Reading? (August 2023)

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[–] [email protected] 30 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I'm finally getting into both discworld and culture. I've read a number of other discworld books before, two of the night watch, mort, I think another I don't recall right now. Now I'm reading The Colour or Magic. It's enjoyable but I'm finding I'm going a little slower on it than the others.

I also have the second culture book, Player of Games, ready to go when I finish the discworld book. I really liked how bonkers Consider Phlebas was (felt like a constant stream of chaos for the crew).

[–] [email protected] 20 points 1 year ago (3 children)

The first two Discworld books are VERY different from the rest of the series. There is definitely stuff to enjoy there, but Pratchett had not yet found his voice. I'm in my second read through of the series, and it is interesting to see the concepts mature over time. Granny Weatherwax in Equal Rites is almost a different character than Granny Weatherwax in Maskerade.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I’m reading Lords and Ladies now. I couldn’t get into them years ago but after reading the Tiffany aching series I’m much more attached to the witches and really enjoying going through. Especially with the recently rerecorded audiobooks which are so very good.

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[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I've never read any Pratchett, and I just picked up Small Gods on a friend's recommendation. I'm really enjoying it!

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

It's one of my favourites and is the one I've reread the most.

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[–] [email protected] 18 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I just finished re-reading the entire Expanse series and fell back on an old friend, Harry Dresden. Going to put that Weir book on my list though. I really enjoyed The Martian so I’d like to explore more of his work.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

Highly recommend listening to the Project Hail Mary audiobook rather than reading it. It adds an extra dimension to the story that you miss out on otherwise.

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[–] [email protected] 18 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (5 children)

I have 60 pages left of The Wheel of Time series, and what a ride it's been. Just incredible!

Already looking for a series to fill the massive impending void. Was thinking of maybe Mazalan or Law Trilogy. Any advice or other suggestions, anyone?

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Oh man, what a ride indeed. That series really is epic! And just in time for Season 2 of WoT to drop on Amazon!

If you liked that series, and in particular the last 2-3 books, then I'd recommend working your way through Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere, and the Stormlight Archive series in particular. Not classic sci-fi (although I'd argue it still fits on some levels), but an excellent fit after reading Robert Jordan.

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[–] [email protected] 16 points 1 year ago (8 children)

Snowcrash: pleasantly surprised by the quality of the world building, which I love.

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[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago

I've been blasting through Broken Earth series by N. K. Jemisin, already on The Stone Sky. So good and captivating. Also reading 'The Yiddish Policeman's Union' by Michael Chabon

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Started reading Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler. I really like the style of writing, so much detail into the main character's mind.

It is also impressive just how relevant the topics are today, for a book written back in 1993 (climate change, wealth disparity, etc.). It's really fascinating (scary?) to see what the author thought the U.S. would look like in 2024 and onwards.

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago (3 children)
  • Zoe Punches the Future in the Dick and If This Book Exists, You're in the Wrong Universe by Jason Pargin
  • The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells
[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I read the first 4 Murderbot Diaries a long time ago and the other day I learned there are at least 4 more. 🤖☠️

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I adore the Murderbot Diaries. It's weird how something so violent can be so, I dunno, calming.

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Just finished Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel.

It's good, but I found it to be unmoving. I can see that whatever is written is well written but it didn't made me feel anything. I didn't find it funny, emotional, surprising, annoying. At no point I was tempted to stop reading it nor I was anxious to continue. For me it's a really solid 7/10. Maybe I'm in the minority on that and maybe it's because it's not the kind of book that I would usually read.

On what's next I have been wanting to read the Three Body Problem but I'm curious about the translation. I've read books in english that were originally written in my native spanish and there's definitely a certain feel to them. It will be the first book originally in Chinese that I read, so I wonder about the translation, and if it would be better to get an English translation or a Spanish translation.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The translator of Three Body Problem Ken Liu is a native Chinese speaker with exceptional English language skills. I don't believe there are any issues with the translation work itself, but there are some oddities of intentionally reworked plots in the English release due to the book "Ball Lightning" not having been released for the English market yet so the references would not have made sense. I find this to be a poor decision, but you can always read Ball Lightning and about what that subplot was intended to be afterward. The Spanish version would likely have the same issue.

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (5 children)

I did Project Hail Mary two books back, so I won't revisit that for a while. I HIGHLY recommend the audiobook though; I honestly can't see how it could hold up in text form, it feels like it was made to be an audiobook.

I'm currently on the Bobiverse books (#1) by Dennis E Taylor.

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

Just finished “The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress”. A little long and rambling in places, but enjoyable and full of interesting ideas. Would make a good series/mini series. Has tinges of Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy at times.

There’s a good audiobook version available narrated by Lloyd James/Sean Pratt.

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago

I'm pretty far behind the ball, but I'm finally reading revalation space and it rocks!

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Been reading Rendezvous With Rama, incredible so far!

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago (6 children)

Right now I'm reading Leviathan Wakes and I cannot put it down. It's such a good book!

At work I'm listening to The Digital Plague and it's pretty darn good. Book 2 of the Avery Cates series which is in the dark, gritty cyberpunk genre with a good amount of dark humor.

Both are really good books!

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I am reading Leviathan Falls now. The entire series is great. I haven't wanted to put any of them down.

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago (5 children)

I recently finished Alastair Reynolds' House of Suns, which I enjoyed. It's actually the first of his books I've read. I'm looking forward to reading more of his books.

Currently I'm reading Neuromancer for the first time.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Just finished reading NK Jemisin's We Became a City and it's sequel and they were so good I immediately started the Fifth Season by her as well. Highly recommended!

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

So many people reading such impressive books and here I am reading Skullduggery Pleasant - a series about a skeleton detective who throws fireballs. It's not high art, but it's fun!

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I’m listening to the expanse series while I work on my basement. I’ve already read the entire series, but it’s so good I’m happy to listen again. On cibola burn now!

I also read Semiosis by sue Burke recently, it was a fun pulpy series (two books total I think)

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I am reading Revenger by Alastair Reynolds. Still pretty early, but seems fun.

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

Children of time, every time

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

Hyperion is so good, I remember reading (cantos) it with rather high expectations and it consistently exceeded them. Not perfect, but very nice, especially world building.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (2 children)
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[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (5 children)

I really need to read the Expanse series! I loved the show, and I've heard the books are significantly better.

If you're gonna check out Gibson's Neuromancer, maybe check out Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash. Both are foundational cyberpunk.

Edit: Also, Project Hail Mary is one of my favorite novels. Can't gush enough about that one. Reminded me a lot of Greg Bear's Eon.

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

Finally getting around to reading Neuromancer. While I find some of the dialogue a little confusing I’m really enjoying its themes and the plot has me hooked. I can see why this book was so influential; it’s a little uncanny how many things Gibson predicted in this work.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Exclusively Terry Pratchett. I've been reading (again for the most part) all the discworld books and finaly hit the ones i never read.

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I just finished Scalzi's Interdependency trilogy and absolutely loved it

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I really want to read Children of Time, but I am forcing myself to finish reading the Dune series I just bought lol.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Dune is a really interesting story and universe, but I had such a hard time actually reading the books. I can't keep up with the amount of personal introspection it contains. I would have needed like an abridged version that focused more on getting the story moving.

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

Currently reading The Last Colony by John Scalzi.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Midnight Tides. I definitely finished it once, but it's all hazy.

I will finish the Malazan series this time, and I super hope Tehol/Bugg stick around.

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (7 children)

Ready Player Two. About a quarter through it and so far I have little hope it'll get any better than it's reputation, even though I'm a massive VR nerd.

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

I've been cleasing my palate after 3 clarkes and 6 the expanse (plus shorts). Just finished Um Defeito de Cor, by Ana M. Golçalves, a semi-mult generation saga about a slave in Brazil. Very, very good, but I don't know if it has any translation. This has 1k pages, so I'm reading Piranesi, by Susanna Clarke, just to read something thin. It's... good. Strange.

I have Flash Foward, Expanse #7-9, Culture #1 and Red Mars on the queue =)

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

Aside from Project Hail Mary I am reading a couple other things. One of them for another book club I am in. I am listening to The Employees by Olga Ravn which I swear feels like being subjected to 2 hours of Rorschach tests asking you how some sequence of words makes you feel. I don't think I enjoy it very much as there is no fictional science or details about anything going on. The other is Diaspora by Greg Egan which I am enjoying greatly as it is nothing but technical details. Hopefully I don't end up being in the middle of too many books to actually finish any of them in a timely manner.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Re-reading a bunch of Discworld. Really need to read Project Hail Mary, only heard good things about it

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

I started Wool because I was digging the show Silo, but honestly found it pretty flat. The characters and story telling are super dry, and the show does a much better job of it imo, which is rare.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Getting rid of Twitter and Reddit has been productive. I read the Expanse (and the novella collection) as well as Project Hail Mary, and the first book of the Three Body Problem.

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

project Hail Mary was fantastic. I just finished "The Postman" by David Brin and "Dark Angel" by John Sandford. I really enjoyed "Powersat" and its sequals by David Brin too.

Edit: i also recently read "Radicalized" by Cory Doctorow because it contained the novella "unauthorized Bread"

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

I went to pick up neuromancer, but someone kidnapped me and put a bomb in my head, and now I have to rob a bank

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I just read neuromancer again. As you can tell from my handle, I love the book

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

In terms of sci-fi, I've got The War of the Worlds on list.

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