The GMG SF/Fantasy/Horror Club

[mn dave]

I'm glad you liked the film, guys. For a while there, I thought people missed my post.

[mn dave]

I read the new novel in the Expanse, Cibola Burn by James Corey.  A tv show is being made of the series, I look forward to seeing it.

I also finally read Player of Games by Iain M Banks.  I disagree with the popular opinion that it is better than Consider Phlebas.  I enjoyed Considered Phlebas more, but Player of Games is a decent novel.

Going back to try to finish the Wheel of Time, I'm on the final three books now.

I have some big fat Tad Williams books to read after I read my big fat George RR Martins.

[DavidW]

I have some big fat Tad Williams books to read after I read my big fat George RR Martins.

Awesome!  I want to read Shadowmarch, and perhaps his newer series.  I have fond memories of Memory, Sorrow and Thorn and Otherland.  I have a signed copy of one of Tad Williams novels somewhere around my apartment.

The last Martin novel came out years ago and there is no date for the next entry.  Why are you rereading A Song of Ice and Fire now?

[mn dave]

The last Martin novel came out years ago and there is no date for the next entry.  Why are you rereading A Song of Ice and Fire now?

First time through. I bought A Game of Thrones when it first came out (after reading an excerpt in a magazine), then got distracted shortly thereafter, like I do...

SQUIRREL!

[Bogey]

I am considering another read through the Harry Potter series.  I remember reading them so quickly the first round as they came out that it might be fun to revisit.

[mn dave]

I am considering another read through the Harry Potter series.  I remember reading them so quickly the first round as they came out that it might be fun to revisit.

I haven't read them but I did see the first movie.

[DavidW]

I am considering another read through the Harry Potter series.  I remember reading them so quickly the first round as they came out that it might be fun to revisit.

On my reread I got stuck on book 5.  It was just too long and meandering to sit through a second time.  The Goblet of Fire remains my favorite.

[DavidW]

First time through. I bought A Game of Thrones when it first came out (after reading an excerpt in a magazine), then got distracted shortly thereafter, like I do...

SQUIRREL!

Oh I didn't know.  I got into the series when Clash of Kings was a new release.  Thanks to Robert Jordan I wait for series to end now.  Speaking of which Sanderson is so awesome!  The Gathering Storm is as fast paced and exciting as the early novels.  Each chapter either advances character or plot in a meaningful way or has something cool happen.  It's been so very, very long that I felt that a Wheel of Time novel was hard to put down.

[Bogey]

Any of you cats read any books by  R.A. Salvatore (outside of Star Wars)?

[mc ukrneal]

Any of you cats read any books by  R.A. Salvatore (outside of Star Wars)?

Yes. I enjoyed them once upon a time (those that I read). Though he kept writing about the same characters in the D&D world, so not sure if the more recent books are any good.

[Bogey]

Yes. I enjoyed them once upon a time (those that I read). Though he kept writing about the same characters in the D&D world, so not sure if the more recent books are any good.

Did you have one that you would rec that I start with?

[mc ukrneal]

Did you have one that you would rec that I start with?

I'd read them (the series about Drizzt, the dark drow) in the order they were written, starting with the Crystal Shard or Icewind Dale Trilogy (of which Shard is the first book). It isn't as good a debut as the Wheel of Time, but there is a certain sincerity and honesty in these. Just go in expecting fun and adventure and you should enjoy it. Some might recommend the second trilogy first (which starts with Homeland), as chronologically, it takes place before the first trilogy (and explains a number of things about his past). I think he had become a better writer by the second trilogy. Either could be a logical jumping off point.

[Bogey]

Thanks.

Also, started the second book in this long series:

[DavidW]

Any of you cats read any books by  R.A. Salvatore (outside of Star Wars)?

Yes the Dark Elf trilogy and the Icewind Dale trilogy.  Second is too LoTR-esque, the first is fun.

[DavidW]

Speaking of Star Wars: I recently read Revan, a Star Wars novel that finishes the story of the games (Knights of the Old Republic).  As a huge fan of kotor 1 and 2 it was awesome to see the main characters side by side fighting off the big bad.

Anyway I'm reading Thirteen by Richard Morgan right now.  After my head exploded from recently reading the space operas: Reynold's The Prefect, Bank's Player of Games and Use of Weapons, Thirteen is a refreshing change of pace. It is a gritty noir in a semi-plausible near future. 

[Karl Henning]

I'm not reading it myself, nor do I know the title/author, but my old schoolmate Scott has been reading a book about sentient lobsters.

Just saying.

[Bogey]

.

Anyway I'm reading Thirteen by Richard Morgan right now.  After my head exploded from recently reading the space operas: Reynold's The Prefect, Bank's Player of Games and Use of Weapons, Thirteen is a refreshing change of pace. It is a gritty noir in a semi-plausible near future.

Sounds Balderunner-ish.  I will check that one out, David.  Oy, Karl-reeno!

[kishnevi]

I'm not reading it myself, nor do I know the title/author, but my old schoolmate Scott has been reading a book about sentient lobsters.

Just saying.

Maine or South African?

[DavidW]

Sounds Balderunner-ish.  I will check that one out, David.  Oy, Karl-reeno!

No wait!  Now that I'm half way through it, I say don't read it.  It starts well but then fizzles out.  It just becomes a way for the author to rant and rant and rant about how much he hates America.  The characters monologue page after page about it without advancing the story or characters.  It was so awesome in the first 100 pages, but I can't stand it now.

Better to go back to Gibson or Dick for the same fix.

[Bogey]

No wait!  Now that I'm half way through it, I say don't read it.  It starts well but then fizzles out.  It just becomes a way for the author to rant and rant and rant about how much he hates America.  The characters monologue page after page about it without advancing the story or characters.  It was so awesome in the first 100 pages, but I can't stand it now.

Better to go back to Gibson or Dick for the same fix.

What do you like from Gibson?