What are you Reading? (October 2023)

Hello again /c/sciencefiction friends. It is once again a new month so it is time to refresh the post.

Here is a collection of some of the most upvoted and discussed books from last months discussion.

22 comments

Don't mind me, I'm just here to upvote Snow Crash, as it's one of my favorite books.

7
- I just started Sevenevs, but I'll get to Snow Crash eventually. There is just so much to read.
  
  2
  
  I couldn't really get into Sevenevs, but I like Stephenson in general, so my favourites in order:
  
  Snow Crash
  
  Cryptonomicon
  
  The rise and fall of D.O.D.O.
  
  Anathem
  
  2
I just finished the 3 Body Problem trilogy which I overall enjoyed but some parts were long and drawn out. Now I'm on Altered Carbon. Looking forward to the next Bobiverse book!

6
I'm reading The Last Emperox by John Scalzi. The series has some interesting concepts but while I really enjoyed Scalzi's sense of humour in the Old Man's War series, it doesn't land quite as consistently for me here. Regardless, it's definitely a fun read.

5
- I always enjoyed Scalzi's style. Insanely easy to read, but not always on the mark.
  
  2
I am working through the Muderbot diaries - just finishing Exit Strategy at the moment. They are easy and enjoyable reading, but i might take a break before Network Effect though, since they are a little same-y, and maybe dive into the Hyperion Cantos, or perhaps back to Adrian Tchaikovsky' and Children of Ruin. I have a week of holiday coming up, so hope to have a fair bit of reading time.

4
- I definetely agree with the murderbot diaries all being pretty samey. They're definetely a fun read, but hard to do the whole series in one go without getting bored.
  
  I like them as a "listen to while falling asleep" book
  
  2
- I feel like I need to reread the first four murder bot diaries before I continue on. I kind of thought it was a complete thing back when I read them. Then I recently discovered there are a few more.
  
  2
Mickey7 by Edward Ashton (well, actually the sequel right now, finished the first book yesterday). I was actually surprised at how good it was given that I haven't heard much buzz around it. Though that might just be me having my head buried in the sand, because apparently there's a movie for it coming out next spring, so it's hardly an unheard of gem lol

But yeah it checked all the boxes for me

interesting characters with a fair amount of development

fascinating thought experiments about the nature of consciousness and continuity

fast paced plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat for most of the book

interesting aliens and a mysterious planet

semi hard scifi
3
- That sounds like something I could enjoy. I'll have to put that on my to read list.
  
  2
Currently taking a break between Xenocide and Children of the Mind. Really enjoying the Ender's Saga books, the story even gets better after Ender's Game.

Gotta shout out House of Suns as one of my favorite books ever.

3
I got Children of Memories waiting for me. I restarted the series. I really enjoy the vibe and subject matter of the books.

2
I've started The Player of Games from Iain M Banks, after having just finished Project Hail Mary from Andy Weir

2
Tried Fire Upon the Deep and got bored, same with Norstrilia, got back to reading Hyperion, might get back to reading Bibiverse series, Culture series, Seveneves, Hainish cycle, Blindsight... since I bought Kindle I have just over 10 books started and not finished

2
Just finished Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson. That first chapter might be the most horrific thing I've ever read in my life, only because I fear it's actually possible. Also perhaps the best depiction of PTSD I've ever read. Other than that, honestly I found the writing style kind of annoying with all of the shorthand, truncated sentence fragments. Overall I felt like it was a good summary of the real challenges that the climate crisis presents.

Now I just started Project Hall Mary by Andy Weir. His writing style is just so easy and accessible; it's quite a contrast.

Also I'm super happy to see Leviathan Wakes on the list from last month. I love the Expanse universe so much; it makes me happy to see people are getting into it.

2
I just finished the player of games. Fun book.

Not sure what to read next. I want scifi, but something light. Might go for the next book in the culture series, but I read the quality goes down over time.

2
- Use of Weapons is next in the series and it is truly excellent. I like it better than both Games and Phlebas, though I haven't read a Banks novel I actually disliked.
  
  2
  
  Good to know. I realized Scalzi had a new book out, so reading that first, big fan of his writing style. Quick reads in general.
  
  After that I might read Use of Weapons then :) Thx for the recommendation
  
  1
I just finished Wild Seed. I had no idea what to expect when I started it, but was blown away. I'm on to the rest of the Patternist series I guess.

2
Just finished Shift, the second book in the Silo series. While not as good as the first one, I did enjoy it, and it was fun to have some mysteries revealed. I'm excited to start the next one in the series.

2

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